Video: A dying teen, a yellow legal pad, and a backstory

posted at 10:41 am on August 31, 2012 by Ed Morrissey

I missed a few of the convention speeches last night, due to the arrival of family for an event this weekend, so I missed the story of David Oparowski, one of the more unexpected highlights of the Republican National Convention. David passed away more than 30 years ago as a teenager, from Hodgkin’s Disease, while living in Medford, Massachusetts. Soon after his diagnosis, his parents Ted and Pat told the nation last night, David began having a visitor who became a good friend to the teenager in his final months. David and Mitt Romney became close enough that the teenager asked Romney to draw up his will and deliver his eulogy when it became clear that David’s illness was terminal, a story that Byron York calls “the most extraordinary” of the convention:

They knew Romney from church, and when their 14 year-old son David was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease in 1979, Romney visited the boy regularly. “They developed a loving friendship,” Pat Oparowski said, recounting the many times Romney came to see her and her son.

David Oparowski’s cancer was terminal. During one visit, Mrs. Oparowski recalled, “David, knowing Mitt had gone to law school at Harvard, asked Mitt if he would help him write a will. He had some prize possessions that he wanted to make sure were given to his closest friends and family. The next time Mitt went to the hospital, he was equipped with his yellow legal pad and pen. Together, they made David’s will. That is a task that no child should ever have to do. But it gave David peace of mind. So after David’s death, we were able to give his skateboard, his model rockets, and his fishing gear to his best friends. He also made it clear that his brother Peter should get his Ruger .22 rifle. How many men do you know who would take the time out of their busy lives to visit a terminally ill 14 year old and help him settle his affairs?”

“David also helped us plan his funeral,” Pat Oparowski continued. “He wanted to be buried in his Boy Scout uniform. He wanted Mitt to pronounce his eulogy, and Mitt was there to honor that request. We will be ever grateful to Mitt for his love and concern.”

It was an extraordinary story, seldom mentioned in the press, and it left many in the hall in tears. “You cannot measure a man’s character based on the words he utters before adoring crowds during times that are happy,” said Ted Oparowski. “The true measure of a man is revealed in his actions during times of trouble — the quiet hospital room of a dying boy, with no cameras and no reporters.”

There are actually a number of stories like this about Romney, some less dramatic and less bittersweet, but still “extraordinary.” In truth, there are many stories like this about men and women in politics that only rarely come to light, and some like Romney don’t talk about them. One of the frustrations heard from long-time Romney supporters is that the campaign has not opened up more about these kinds of stories, but that’s a tough line to walk, too. If the campaign starts rolling out all of these stories and especially the people involved in them, it won’t take long before they get accused of exploiting the stories and the people for political gain. After having endured the summer of demonization from Team Obama, though — being accused of causing a woman’s cancer, of intending to put black people “back in chains,” and of being a felon — Team Romney obviously decided that all of their effort to remind people of Romney’s humanity couldn’t come from Ann Romney alone.

The Oparowskis told a powerful story last night, and I’m glad I belatedly caught up to it.

Update: Andrew Malcolm issues a sigh of relief that Team Romney has finally begun to answer the vilification strategy:

Seriously, was that really so hard?

Lead by a series of friends and associates who shared their own memories of Mitt, Romney finally told his story to the American people Thursday night, the last day of the Republican National Convention, that included the candidate’s eagerly-awaited acceptance speech. (Scroll down for full text and video.)

In 4,087 well-crafted words delivered in 38 fast-moving minutes, including ample time for audience applause, the former governor and businessman described himself, contrasted his vision with an attacking incumbent’s and outlined the kind of country he seeks to restore.

It was a crucial night for the would-be Oval Office occupant. He has given opponents plenty of evidence to mock his stiffness and alleged inability to connect with ordinary Americans, who genuinely want to like their leaders.

In fact, despite the scandals, the aloofness and ineptitude, a majority of Americans say they still find Barack Obama more likable than Romney. That’s a polling stat that’s inexplicable to many but one that does explain why the Democrat with no substantive economic achievements is still even in this race, according to polls.

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This is important, but it probably won’t reach enough people. Romney won’t push it because it seems that that’s the kind of guy he is. The press won’t push it because, well, we know why. To them, nothing is moral except supporting liberalism, and nothing is immoral except opposing it.

I wish these people had intro’d Romney…there was no better testament to Mitt the human being than what they and the lady that followed had to say. It was deeply moving and would’ve made quite the impression on the national audience tuning in at 10.

I think pretty good strategy in the Romney camp. They have, in essence, “rope-a-doped” Obuma’s campaign into spending a good portion of their money overe the summer trying to paint Romney as a felon, etc. They just need to take any and all momentum from this convention and not let up until 6Nov.

Wow. Never had heard of this story. Powerful, and the true definition of character. Romney has won me over, despite some policy disagreements.

search4truth on August 31, 2012 at 10:49 AM

These testimonials had the delegates shedding tears. And yes, this was a demonstration of Romney’s character. As I posted on another thread, the Dems convention will be a contrast. Where we hear about things Mitt Romney has done outside the media glare, all we will be getting from Dems is real-life Julias praising Obama for all the free stuff they got by his policies.

It would be amusing to watch the lunatic asylum from MSNBC, led by Tingles Matthews and Wacko Schultz, try to find the subtle racist messages that they would likely believe lurked in the story of this family.

I can sympathize with the difficulty of trying to exploit personal anecdotes like these and not appear to be an opportunistic douche in the process. Stories like these need to stand on their own. We only need to look at Obama’s continued exploitation of our special forces concerning the OBL raid to see how badly a story like this can backfire. I also know that I would personally feel very uncomfortable standing up and bragging about events like this in my life. But hey, I also have a soul. I suspect Romney does too, even if he does fall far short of the conservative ideal.

It was an extraordinary story, seldom mentioned in the press, and it left many in the hall in tears. “You cannot measure a man’s character based on the words he utters before adoring crowds during times that are happy,” said Ted Oparowski. “The true measure of a man is revealed in his actions during times of trouble — the quiet hospital room of a dying boy, with no cameras and no reporters.”

People need to plaster this and the woman who followed all over twitter and facebook. Make it viral. Make it so people can’t ignore it.

SAZMD on August 31, 2012 at 10:56 AM

Part of me agrees with you but I know how desperate and filthy the left has become. How long before the propagandists known as “fact checkers” slither in and try to slander these people for saying it was a white legal pad and not a yellow legal pad or some other such absurdity like they did with Paul Ryan’s speech?

Can they run a 5 minute commercial on TV? This is one of the most moving stories I’ve ever heard.

Team Obama…uh… tell us again what a bad guy Mitt is.

Sugar Land on August 31, 2012 at 10:53 AM

I was watching the PBS coverage last night, and Mark Shields was saying that this kind of stuff should have been used in Romney ads all along. He said it was campaign malpractice not to use it. Me, I think it hasn’t been because Romney is modest and humble, and he likes to keep his private life in the background.

It was an extraordinary story, seldom mentioned in the press, and it left many in the hall in tears. “You cannot measure a man’s character based on the words he utters before adoring crowds during times that are happy,” said Ted Oparowski. “The true measure of a man is revealed in his actions during times of trouble — the quiet hospital room of a dying boy, with no cameras and no reporters.”

This and the line about how his mother knew there was somehting wrong with his father when she didn’t see her daily rose. Compelling stuff. If nothing else, we can be very proud of our nominee.

I was watching the PBS coverage last night, and Mark Shields was saying that this kind of stuff should have been used in Romney ads all along. He said it was campaign malpractice not to use it. Me, I think it hasn’t been because Romney is modest and humble, and he likes to keep his private life in the background.

Ward Cleaver on August 31, 2012 at 11:08 AM

One of his religious tenets is to not make public his “gifts”…say what one will, he lives his faith, and walks his faith.

And Christian’s who diss him for being Mormon, should look at how he lives that faith, it’s an example for them.

Matthew 6:1 “Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
Matthew 6:2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.

I loved both of these testimonies that gave us a glimpse into Mitt the person. I especially loved the image of Mitt helping the woman fold her laundry while they visited. Without permission. Just rolled up his sleeves and pitched in. She was smiling just remembering it.

I’ll be the first to say that I heard a lot of great speeches at this convention. But in terms of most impactful moments, this couple (and the lady who followed them) wins in my book, hands down. My entire family was profoundly moved by what was shared by this couple. No soaring rhetoric. No polished oratory. Just offering a real story in plain language about a caring man at a time of great personal crisis. This convention moment transcended politics and will be remembered for years to come.

Mitt would rather be seen as a humble servant of the Lord and testimony be given by whom he served. Might cost him an election, but Mitt is building up treasures in Heaven, not here. But those demonizing him also will be judged.

Yeah Ed is was touching and moving and exactly the sort of thing Romney needs for the “likability gap.” But nobody saw it. The Networks didn’t air it. Cable didn’t air it. Most of that stuff they ran last night, nobody saw.

I may have dragged my heels on having him nominated through the harsh primary, but darn it if he hasn’t proven to be an extremely capable, smart, and genuine person. Some of his policies I may not agree with, but he has definitely turned out to be a compassionate person.

The Oprawskis. The lady afteward (sorry, don’t remember her name). The stump story. Searching for the colleague’s missing person. Re-roofing that lady’s house. Millions of dollars in donations to charities and good causes.

To counter Romney’s stories, Axelrod is tracking down Ayers to tell how Obama helped him compose a petition for the release of Ayers’s wife from prison after having been convicted of planting bombs. Then, Jeremiah Wright would come on stage to describe how Obama helped him compose many of his most incendiary, anti-American sermons. Finally, Tony Rezko’s wife would describe how Obama overpaid her $64,000 for a sliver of real estate separating their residential lots–so that her husband would keep his mouth shut.

Oh, and we’ll hear from that doctor from whom Obama bought his Chicago residence and how he was somehow so moved by Obama that in a seller’s market he knocked his asking price down from $1.65M to $1.35M. Evidently, Obama or some handler gave him an offer he couldn’t refuse.

I tend to shy away from stories like these…
Cindy Munford on August 31, 2012 at 11:08 AM

I agree. They have nothing to do with potential presidential efficacy. But also agree that it was necessary in this case.

rrpjr on August 31, 2012 at 11:19 AM

I agree as well. I really don’t think Romney likes to talk about such things either. Probably why we were just hearing about it at the convention. But now, this kind of stuff is out, Romney can get back to substance as to what he needs to do to win…

I tend to shy away from stories like these…
Cindy Munford on August 31, 2012 at 11:08 AM

I agree. They have nothing to do with potential presidential efficacy. But also agree that it was necessary in this case.

rrpjr on August 31, 2012 at 11:19 AM
I agree as well. I really don’t think Romney likes to talk about such things either. Probably why we were just hearing about it at the convention. But now, this kind of stuff is out, Romney can get back to substance as to what he needs to do to win…

Static21 on August 31, 2012 at 11:27 AM

It has everything to do with presidential afficacy. It shows the character of a man. Contrast this with the soon-to-be former president.

Exactly. As I have been saying all long, Mormons ONLY help out other Mormons.
Don’t believe me? Try to get any charity from the “LDS”.
(and NONE of we real Christians are allowed in their “temple”)
Chew on that.
~(Ä)~

Want to bet how much regular programming will be preempted next week during the DNC convention?

Tenwheeler on August 31, 2012 at 11:27 AM

Not happeneing, the networks have already committed the same amount of time to the DNC. They aren’t that stupid, and besides they need the money from their regular broadcasts.

What’s going to kill the DNC next week is the opening of the NFL season. And we all know Obama is going to ramble well beyond the allotted time for his speech (and probably be late for the beginning of it, since he always is) and people will turn off the TV.

What’s going to kill the DNC next week is the opening of the NFL season. And we all know Obama is going to ramble well beyond the allotted time for his speech (and probably be late for the beginning of it, since he always is) and people will turn off the TV.

rockmom on August 31, 2012 at 11:31 AM

The fact that the latest jobs report gets released the morning after Obama’s acceptance speech can’t be overlooked. The question is if the administration is working behind the scenes to cook the numbers.

Among other points about the instance in which Romney helped the boy draft a will is that a minor can’t create a legally effective will. But Mitt, noting the gravity of the situation, went right along with it.

I’m surprised that we haven’t seen a Fact-Check Article blaring “Romney Creates Legally Ineffective Will for Dying Boy,” telling us that Romney’s efforts were useless and only served to mislead the boy. If not, Rachel Maddow and Chris Hayes will be hashing this out on her show tonight.

Exactly. As I have been saying all long, Mormons ONLY help out other Mormons.
Don’t believe me? Try to get any charity from the “LDS”.
(and NONE of we real Christians are allowed in their “temple”)
Chew on that.
~(Ä)~

Karl Magnus on August 31, 2012 at 11:30 AM

So what? I call it the concentric circles of charity: family, friends, voluntary community, etc.

For crying out loud, liberals generally don’t help other liberals. They do so only with other people’s money.

Exactly. As I have been saying all long, Mormons ONLY help out other Mormons.
Don’t believe me? Try to get any charity from the “LDS”.
(and NONE of we real Christians are allowed in their “temple”)
Chew on that.
~(Ä)~

Karl Magnus on August 31, 2012 at 11:30 AM

Baloney.

I live in an area with a high percentage of LDS folks and interact with many through my line of work. These people are kind, caring, and helpful, period. As an evangelical Christian, I have profound theological differences with them, but I have personal experience with the good-heartedness and generosity of these people, and could list a number of examples when LDS colleagues went out of their way to offer help or assistance. In my town they are also prominent members of civic and philanthropic organizations and I know many are financially generous in terms of local causes and needs.

Exactly. As I have been saying all long, Mormons ONLY help out other Mormons.
Don’t believe me? Try to get any charity from the “LDS”.
(and NONE of we real Christians are allowed in their “temple”)
Chew on that.~(Ä)~
Karl Magnus on August 31, 2012 at 11:30 AM

And one of Obama’s largest charitable donations in 2010 was the United Negro College Fund. Chew on that.

Exactly. As I have been saying all long, Mormons ONLY help out other Mormons.
Don’t believe me? Try to get any charity from the “LDS”.
(and NONE of we real Christians are allowed in their “temple”)
Chew on that.
~(Ä)~

Exactly. As I have been saying all long, Mormons ONLY help out other Mormons.
Don’t believe me? Try to get any charity from the “LDS”.
(and NONE of we real Christians are allowed in their “temple”)
Chew on that.
~(Ä)~

You sound jealous Karl. And you include yourself as a “real” Christian?
Sounds to me like the pot calling the kettle black. So the LDS and their temple are looked down upon by “real” Christians, got it.
Look at what the man does, don’t judge his temple. There is more than enough room in this world for good deeds and there are more than enough people in this world that could use a good deed to come there way. No matter where it comes from.
To stay on topic, can anyone tell us of a similar story about Obama?
His own brother had to ask someone else for money! Our president is really a piece of “work” huh?
I’d take someone from any temple over our current POS.

Exactly. As I have been saying all long, Mormons ONLY help out other Mormons.
Don’t believe me? Try to get any charity from the “LDS”.
(and NONE of we real Christians are allowed in their “temple”)
Chew on that.
~(Ä)~

Karl Magnus on August 31, 2012 at 11:30 AM

Bullhockey.
I live in an area that has a fairly heavy and prosperous Mormon population and they have food banks and job ceters that are open to all. Now I never pass judgement on a persons religion but I always have doubts when I see someone identify themselves as a “real” christian. Sounds to me like you have issues that only God can answer.

Now that I have that out of the way. I think that a man of character goes about helping in a quiet manner and a man without character goes about helping in front of a big brass band. One does what he can because it is right, the other does what he can for the glory.
I was not a Romney supporter during the primaries, but he is showing himself to be a rare type of person and even rarer type of politician ….one who truely wants to do what’s right for no reason then because it is right. Win or lose I honestly have to respect the man he is.

So what? I call it the concentric circles of charity: family, friends, voluntary community, etc.
BuckeyeSam on August 31, 2012 at 11:40 AM

Call it whatever you want. Read the Book of Mormon, or try to get help from them. They are the most bigoted people, outside of Black (“mud people” to mormons) Liberation Theology, in America.
Been There. Seen That. Read That … Was Repulsed.
~(Ä)~